Anonymous
07/09/2025 18:33
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Op I did this same search from out of state and there can be an LOT of local opinions. Given what you want, I agree with the rec of meridian high/ falls church city. There’s a pocket of townhomes that are more reasonable near the falls restaurant and a lot of kids who live at the Modera apartments near the new movie theater. Walking is safe and no problem and they have bazillion grocery stores within a mile. Good luck
Anonymous
07/09/2025 16:41
Subject: Re:what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My youngest just graduated from South Lakes. All 3 of our children graduated from there. My 3 were very different, and were all served well. Oldest was super strong academically and did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. Middle had IEP and did a mix of classes. Youngest was very involved with theatre and chorus and also a strong student who did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. I would say that SLHS has a very strong arts program, both performing and visual arts. I say this from direct experience. We live about 2 miles from the high school. Reston trails are amazing. My kids took the bus to school until they could drive, but they would sometimes walk home if the weather was nice. As others have mentioned tons of kids walk to the shopping center near the school. There are mostly chain restaurants there., but we have an ice cream shop opening sometime this summer, and both Cafesano and reds table are great local spots. As far as your concerns for your daughter and mean girls, etc.., I would say that the very best thing for all three of my kids was finding something to be involved in. My oldest did robotics for a while as well as chorus., my middle did anime club for a while and chorus as well. My youngest was in theater and chorus. I know lots of people whose kids are involved in marching band and Orchestra. The same goes for sports. What I’ve seen across the board that no matter the activity, being involved in something during high school really helps create a more positive high school experience especially as it relates to making friends. My direct experience was with the arts, and our experience was positive across the board with regard to friendships. I’m not sure what your budget is, but a nice single-family home rental just went on the market this week in my neighborhood.
How did your kids like the IB? Did it seem fluffy, or actually good as a teaching tool, or too hard and time intensive? Where did they do dual enrollment at?
I'm not that PP but my kid liked IB. Some subjects more than others, of course. Lots of writing and I could see that it really improved over the course of four years. DE was at George Mason.
Anonymous
07/09/2025 16:06
Subject: Re:what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
the clubs list for Marshall is amazing!
Anonymous
07/09/2025 15:40
Subject: Re:what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:My youngest just graduated from South Lakes. All 3 of our children graduated from there. My 3 were very different, and were all served well. Oldest was super strong academically and did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. Middle had IEP and did a mix of classes. Youngest was very involved with theatre and chorus and also a strong student who did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. I would say that SLHS has a very strong arts program, both performing and visual arts. I say this from direct experience. We live about 2 miles from the high school. Reston trails are amazing. My kids took the bus to school until they could drive, but they would sometimes walk home if the weather was nice. As others have mentioned tons of kids walk to the shopping center near the school. There are mostly chain restaurants there., but we have an ice cream shop opening sometime this summer, and both Cafesano and reds table are great local spots. As far as your concerns for your daughter and mean girls, etc.., I would say that the very best thing for all three of my kids was finding something to be involved in. My oldest did robotics for a while as well as chorus., my middle did anime club for a while and chorus as well. My youngest was in theater and chorus. I know lots of people whose kids are involved in marching band and Orchestra. The same goes for sports. What I’ve seen across the board that no matter the activity, being involved in something during high school really helps create a more positive high school experience especially as it relates to making friends. My direct experience was with the arts, and our experience was positive across the board with regard to friendships. I’m not sure what your budget is, but a nice single-family home rental just went on the market this week in my neighborhood.
How did your kids like the IB? Did it seem fluffy, or actually good as a teaching tool, or too hard and time intensive? Where did they do dual enrollment at?
Anonymous
07/09/2025 15:39
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We love South Lakes. It’s fantastic and our child has an IEP that has been well served there.
what do you like about it? Also does anyone have experience with how involved the college counselors are?
Yes, I have recent experience. My senior just graduated.
Expect nothing from them beyond sending your transcript and writing the obligatory letter of recommendation. Do not expect them to help you build a list of safety/target/reach schools, or strategize about where to apply ED, or help you write your applications. It's going to be all you, unless you decide to hire an external college counselor.
But that's ok. Lots of SLHS kids get into great colleges.
is this the same for all FCHS college counselors? or just public HS college counselors duties in general? There are just too many kids for personalized attention?
This will be true at any public HS.
Anonymous
07/09/2025 15:29
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We love South Lakes. It’s fantastic and our child has an IEP that has been well served there.
what do you like about it? Also does anyone have experience with how involved the college counselors are?
Yes, I have recent experience. My senior just graduated.
Expect nothing from them beyond sending your transcript and writing the obligatory letter of recommendation. Do not expect them to help you build a list of safety/target/reach schools, or strategize about where to apply ED, or help you write your applications. It's going to be all you, unless you decide to hire an external college counselor.
But that's ok. Lots of SLHS kids get into great colleges.
is this the same for all FCHS college counselors? or just public HS college counselors duties in general? There are just too many kids for personalized attention?
Anonymous
07/09/2025 14:21
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We love South Lakes. It’s fantastic and our child has an IEP that has been well served there.
what do you like about it? Also does anyone have experience with how involved the college counselors are?
Yes, I have recent experience. My senior just graduated.
Expect nothing from them beyond sending your transcript and writing the obligatory letter of recommendation. Do not expect them to help you build a list of safety/target/reach schools, or strategize about where to apply ED, or help you write your applications. It's going to be all you, unless you decide to hire an external college counselor.
But that's ok. Lots of SLHS kids get into great colleges.
Anonymous
07/09/2025 14:17
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:If you want walkable without the chance of being murdered, then don't move anywhere within walking distance of Hunters Woods Plaza. That whole area and especially the paths between there and South Lakes HS have got to be the most dangerous part of western Fairfax.
Cue the part where people pile on and say how "safe" it still is compared with other places, like inner cities / Detroit / whatever.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/ms-13-member-sentenced-life-prison-murders-virginia-and-massachusetts
Anonymous
07/09/2025 14:12
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
If you want walkable without the chance of being murdered, then don't move anywhere within walking distance of Hunters Woods Plaza. That whole area and especially the paths between there and South Lakes HS have got to be the most dangerous part of western Fairfax.
Cue the part where people pile on and say how "safe" it still is compared with other places, like inner cities / Detroit / whatever.
Cue the part where people pile on and say how "safe" it still is compared with other places, like inner cities / Detroit / whatever.
Anonymous
07/09/2025 13:12
Subject: Re:what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
My youngest just graduated from South Lakes. All 3 of our children graduated from there. My 3 were very different, and were all served well. Oldest was super strong academically and did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. Middle had IEP and did a mix of classes. Youngest was very involved with theatre and chorus and also a strong student who did mostly IB/dual-enrollment. I would say that SLHS has a very strong arts program, both performing and visual arts. I say this from direct experience. We live about 2 miles from the high school. Reston trails are amazing. My kids took the bus to school until they could drive, but they would sometimes walk home if the weather was nice. As others have mentioned tons of kids walk to the shopping center near the school. There are mostly chain restaurants there., but we have an ice cream shop opening sometime this summer, and both Cafesano and reds table are great local spots. As far as your concerns for your daughter and mean girls, etc.., I would say that the very best thing for all three of my kids was finding something to be involved in. My oldest did robotics for a while as well as chorus., my middle did anime club for a while and chorus as well. My youngest was in theater and chorus. I know lots of people whose kids are involved in marching band and Orchestra. The same goes for sports. What I’ve seen across the board that no matter the activity, being involved in something during high school really helps create a more positive high school experience especially as it relates to making friends. My direct experience was with the arts, and our experience was positive across the board with regard to friendships. I’m not sure what your budget is, but a nice single-family home rental just went on the market this week in my neighborhood.
Anonymous
07/08/2025 17:18
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:We love South Lakes. It’s fantastic and our child has an IEP that has been well served there.
what do you like about it? Also does anyone have experience with how involved the college counselors are?
Anonymous
07/08/2025 12:35
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
We love South Lakes. It’s fantastic and our child has an IEP that has been well served there.
Anonymous
07/08/2025 12:29
Subject: Re:what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
Anonymous wrote:OP: Find a house that you like and buy it. You could pick a school that is perfect for some kids and end up being a bad fit for your kid. Your big choice is IB vs AP programs. I would go AP, there is more flexibility in the classes and more opportunities for College credit.
Every school has mean girl behavior, every school has bullying, every school has behavior issues. What works for one kid might not work for another. I understand your concerns but you are over thinking this. Find a house that works for your family and land there.
This. Any of the schools you are looking at are fine for your child.
Anonymous
07/08/2025 11:56
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
If we’re going to belabor the drop off and parking situation, Marshall sits on Route 7 off an exit to I-495 and competes with commuter traffic to Tysons, so it’s probably the worst of the schools listed. Kids do regularly walk down Rt-7 to the Idylwood shops at dismissal. There are townhouses and apartments sandwiched between Marshall and Idylwood Plaza. Otherwise, if you want a SFH, Pimmit Hills checks a lot of boxes if you don’t mind crossing Rt-7. There’s some SFHs off Idylwood Rd zoned for Shrevewood that are also walkable.
The rest of Marshall is outside the beltway or south of I-66. Dunn Loring has some walkable shops around the metro station and parts of Westbriar are walkable to Tysons (there’s a trail to the Spring Hill metro and a shopping plaza by Greensboro) but they’re isolated from the high school.
The rest of Marshall is outside the beltway or south of I-66. Dunn Loring has some walkable shops around the metro station and parts of Westbriar are walkable to Tysons (there’s a trail to the Spring Hill metro and a shopping plaza by Greensboro) but they’re isolated from the high school.
Anonymous
07/08/2025 11:25
Subject: what is the difference between Madison HS, Oakton, and Reston high schools?
I see some "mean girl" behavior on here from some of the responses to OP's questions. Jeez. Be nice.